Monday, April 23, 2007 12:13 AM CDT
Retiring EIU president gets huge cake shaped like Old Main
By KATE HENDERSON, Staff Writer
CHARLESTON -- What do about 700 potential Eastern Illinois University students, Lou Hencken and several members of the EIU administration have in common?
They all had no idea Hencken, EIU’s president, was getting a special surprise Saturday during Admitted Student Day at the university.
After Hencken, who is retiring when his contract is up at the end of June, finished addressing the students and their families at Lantz Arena, he was presented with a large cake in the shape of Old Main, Eastern’s main campus building, while the band played “I’m So Glad I Go To EIU.”
“I was surprised of course,” Hencken said. “I turned around and looked at the students and realized this is the last time I’ll get to do this as president.”
Hencken said the good news is that he will be sticking around as a part-time faculty member starting this fall.
“I’ve developed a love for Eastern that doesn’t end on June 30,” Hencken said. “I’m very excited about teaching in the fall.”
Blair Lord, provost and vice president for academic affairs at EIU, said he was equally surprised by the tribute to Hencken.
“I had no idea. What do I know? I just work here,” he joked with a smile.
Brenda Major, director of the admissions office, said the cake was a way to have a dual celebration.
“This is a way to celebrate you (Hencken) in addition to celebrating the open house,” Major said as she addressed the crowd.
Jill Nilsen, vice president for external affairs, said the turnout for the Admitted Student Day was higher than expected, she thought.
Hencken told the students he was glad they were there and he had worked hard all week on a single task:
“I was told I have one job,” Hencken said. “They said, ‘Next Saturday we’re expecting several hundred students and your job this week is to insure the weather is good.’ So, what you see outside is what I’ve worked hard on all week.”
Contact Kate Henderson at khenderson@jg-tc.com or 238-6858.
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Alison wrote on Apr 23, 2007 3:38 PM: